10 Popular Animation Careers

5 min read

Education & Career Trends: May 14, 2024

Curated by the Knowledge Team of  ICS Career GPS


Beyond its entertainment value, animation plays a vital role in fields such as advertising, education, gaming, and even scientific visualisation.

Excerpts are taken from an article published on indeed.com.


In a world where visual storytelling reigns supreme, animation stands at the forefront, captivating audiences with its boundless creativity and transformative power. From the whimsical worlds of Disney classics to the cutting-edge CGI of blockbuster films, animation is a dynamic medium that transcends the boundaries of time, culture, and imagination.

But what exactly is animation, and what career opportunities does it offer to those with a passion for bringing characters and stories to life?

At its core, animation is the art of creating the illusion of movement through a sequence of still images. It encompasses a wide range of techniques, from traditional hand-drawn animation to computer-generated imagery (CGI), stop-motion, and everything in between. Beyond its entertainment value, animation plays a vital role in fields such as advertising, education, gaming, and even scientific visualisation, shaping our perceptions and enhancing our understanding of the world around us. As technology continues to evolve, so too do the possibilities within the realm of animation, opening up exciting career paths for aspiring artists, storytellers, and innovators.

1. 3D modeller

3D modellers are specialists who create 3D characters and environments for a variety of purposes. Candidates with a bachelor’s degree in design, animation, computer science or game design can pursue this career in their respective fields. 3D modellers can find work in a variety of industries ranging from film and advertising to the automobile and aerospace industries. They also work in the field of medicine to help with research and development of products.

2. 3D creative designer

3D creative designers are specialists in art design and may work for multimedia companies and advertising firms. They develop design concepts, storyboards, mood boards and character sketches that artists and animators use to create animations. For 3D and stop motion animation, a creative designer may use computer software or physical materials to create prototype models of their designs.

3. 3D artist

A 3D artist is a design professional who develops 3D models of objects, characters and environments. They create three-dimensional graphic components and effects using animation or modelling software. They also perform research to create accurate representations of characters, objects and environments in films, video games and advertisements. 3D artists collaborate with creative designers and animators to develop concept art and storyboards to guide animation workflows.

4. Graphic artist

A graphic artist is a professional who draws and designs visual material for print or digital media. They create concept designs using computer software and image-processing applications. Using visual elements, graphic artists create illustrations and designs for physical and digital platforms. They usually work following client instructions or a design brief.

5. Animator

Animators are professional artists who draw and design animated components in the entertainment industry. They use computer software to create animations for characters and backdrops of scenes. Animators may work closely with directors, artists and writers to help with the development of story and character plots.

6. Artist

An artist in the field of animation illustrates and designs concepts and components for films, web pages, video games, advertisements and print media. They draw characters, settings and objects that animators use to create motion sequences. They may also sculpt characters for use in stop-motion animation projects. Artists who work in animation studios or for advertising firms typically possess a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, graphic design or visual arts.

7. 3D animator

A 3D animator is a professional in computer graphics who creates three-dimensional animations for films, video games, websites, television and other media platforms. They create characters, backgrounds and objects from concept art and use computer software to transform the concept into a motion graphic. To work as a 3D animator in reputed animation companies, you may require a bachelor’s degree in graphic design, fine arts, computer science engineering or animation.Related: What Is A 3D Animator? (Job Description And Requirements)

8. Video game designer

A video game designer is a graphic design and computer programming specialist who helps develop video games. They create concept art for characters, build game environments and help write storylines for games. Video game designers typically possess a bachelor’s degree in computer science engineering or game design.

9. Compositing supervisor

A compositing supervisor is a visual effects expert who manages the visual effects department in an animation studio. They assist compositors in combining animation components like live-action footage, visual effects and Computer-Generated Images (CGI) to create a cohesive moving image. Compositing supervisors create schedules and workflows and ensure that the visual effects department meets their work deadlines.

10. Art director

An art director is a design professional who manages the sourcing and production of visual elements for entertainment and advertising companies. They develop style guides to assist artists and animators in designing characters, stories and other visual elements. They also conduct reviews and approve final drafts after ensuring that the deliverables meet requirements. They act as a channel of communication between producers and artists to create a cohesive artistic vision.


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(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article mentioned above are those of the author(s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of ICS Career GPS or its staff.)

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